LITHUANIAN YACHT ON HISTORIC VOYAGE TO ARRIVE IN HALIFAX THIS SUNDAY
(Ottawa, April 20, 2009). The Lithuanian yacht “Ambersail” will land in Halifax on
Sunday, April 26 as part of a world-wide tour to mark the Lithuanian Millennium,
the first recorded mention of the name Lithuania.
Celebrations in Halifax will begin on Sunday at 1 pm with an open-air welcoming ceremony* at Queen’s Wharf on the Halifax Harbourfront. Greetings will be extended by the Honourable Barry Barnet, Minister of Energy, on behalf of the Premier of Nova Scotia, Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd. CEO and President Colin MacLean and Lithuanian Ambassador Ginte Damusis. A Lithuanian Embassy reception (by invitation only) and opening of a photography exhibit “Unseen Lithuania” by Marius Jovaisa will follow immediately in the Small Craft Gallery of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
Upon arrival to Canada, Captain Linas Tamkvaitis of the Ambersail will disembark with the flag of the President of Lithuania, H.E. Valdas Adamkus, which the “Ambersail” is carrying around the globe to 26 Lithuanian communities in 20 countries. The crew will also travel to Toronto, where the largest Lithuanian community resides, to deliver a personal message from the Lithuanian President on this historic occasion.
Notice to the press: The press is invited to a brief press conference, which will be held on Sunday, April 26 at 2.15 pm on the second floor landing of the Maritime Museum with participation by Mr. Linas Tamkvaitis, Captain of the Ambersail, Mrs. Ruta Klicius, National Vice-President of the Lithuanian-Canadian community and the Lithuanian Ambassador.
In brief: The first written reference to the name Lithuania appeared in a passage of the Quedlinburg annals about St. Bruno’s unsuccesful mission in 1009 to convert pagans at the Lithuanian and Rus border. This 1000th anniversary is being marked with celebrations of Lithuanian culture, language, history and traditions, which will culminate this summer in Lithuania, when the Ambersail returns to the Baltic Sea port city of Klaipeda. Festivities marking the Millennium and Vilnius as the Capital of European Culture 2009 will take place nation-wide (see attached backgrounder).
Lithuania, a country of 3.4 million located on the Baltic Sea, re-established independence in 1990 and became a member of NATO and the European Union in 2004. An active Lithuanian community in Canada of about 47,000 people foster links between Canada and Lithuania. As NATO allies, Lithuania and Canada co-operate closely not only on matters of defence, but on development cooperation, trade and investment. In comparison to 2007, Lithuanian exports to Canada in 2008 increased by 250 % to $ 335 million CAD. These exports include petroleum and related products, furniture, chemicals and fertilizers. Canadian exports to Lithuania in 2008 totalled about $ 61 million CAD.
For more information, please contact Mr. Tomas Margaitis, Information Officer, Embassy of Lithuania, tel. 1-613-567-5458, ext. 28. Individual interviews can be organized on request.
